How to Change the Looks of Cabinet Doors

Painting your cabinet doors gives your kitchen a new look.

To update your kitchen without a costly remodel, give your cabinet doors a cosmetic makeover. Changing the look of your cabinet doors works best when the cabinets are in good structural shape, and when you're satisfied with the current configuration. The right look for your cabinet doors depends on your cabinet style and your decorating taste.

Paint the Doors

Painting is one of the simplest ways to give your cabinet doors a new look. Prepping is the key to professional-looking results. You'll need to clean, sand and prime before you paint. Choose a sandable primer designed for your door material. Sand between each coat of paint as well for the smoothest finish. Choose glossy, high-sheen oil or latex paint. Specialty paint finishes also work for cabinet doors. Use a stencil to finish painted doors with a contrasting design. Apply cracking medium over the paint for a peeling, antique effect. Paint the doors with black or colored chalkboard paint to create a fun place to jot down shopping lists, recipes and telephone messages.

Change the Door Panels

If your cabinet doors feature raised or recessed panels surrounded by a molding-like frame, you can give the doors an entirely new look by embellishing or replacing the panels. Embellish the panels by covering them with ceramic tile, backsplash sheets that look like stamped tin or with a contrasting color of paint. You can even decoupage the panels with a paper collage. If you're handy with a router or jigsaw, cut out the panels and replace them with chicken wire, metal mesh, glass, colored acrylic or the woven caning used for chair seats.

Reface the Doors

If you have flat cabinet doors without raised or recessed areas, you can reface them. Thin sheets of wood veneer are typically used for refacing cabinetry. You can also reface your cabinet doors with metal sheeting made from copper, bronze, stainless steel or aluminum. The first two add warmth to traditional kitchens. The latter two look best with contemporary and industrial interiors. Reface your cabinet doors with painted, plank-like beadboard if you prefer a country or cottage look.

Replace the Hardware

Knobs and pulls are like jewelry for your cabinets. As with the jewelry you wear with a favorite outfit, the cabinet hardware can finish the look or spoil it. Replace ugly or dated hardware with new pieces that suit your kitchen decor. For a contemporary feel, consider simple round knobs or long bar-shaped pulls in brushed or shiny chrome or black. Clear or colored glass pulls suit vintage-inspired kitchens. If you favor an artsy or rustic look, consider hand-forged iron hardware. Knobs are simple to replace because there's only one existing screw hole. If you use pulls, measure the distance between the holes before shopping for new hardware, or plan to fill the existing holes with wood filler. If your cabinet doors have exposed hinges instead of hidden versions, select new hinges that match the knobs or pulls.

About the Author

Leah James has been a full-time freelance writer and editor since 2008. With more than a decade of experience in interior decorating, she frequently writes about home design. She studied English literature at Lyon College.